An alumnus of Chhatrapati Shahu Ji University (Kanpur) and former vice principal of the Shri Ram School, New Delhi, Harish Sanduja is the incumbent principal of the CBSE-affiliated SAI International School, Bhubaneswar (estb. 2008) and director of the newly promoted SAI International Residential School. Are you satisfied with the Union Budget 2018-19 allocation of Rs.85,010 crore for education? The GDP of India is projected at Rs.187 lakh crore next year and the education budget is a mere Rs.0.85 lakh crore. This paltry contribution of the Central government for public education endangers the future of the next generation. Without further delay, the Central and state governments must increase education spending to 6 percent of GDP. Against the backdrop of a spate of tragic incidents being reported in schools, what are your solutions for ensuring child safety? Schools should sensitise students, parents/guardians and faculty about child safety through regular awareness programmes. Moreover, all schools should mandatorily provide the services of a professional counsellor. What are your Top 5 suggestions for reforming K-12 education? I believe all K-12 schools need to teach students the following: ‘learning to learn’ so students aren’t dependent on tutors; good communication skills; mathematical and analytical skills; international and global awareness and sensitivity towards the environment.
